Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Mark Thompson |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York City , United States |
| Products | Ice cream |
The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory operates as an ice cream retailer based in Brooklyn, New York City. Its initial establishment was housed in a renovated 1922 fireboat station situated at 1 Water Street, positioned at the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier within the Dumbo district, close to the Brooklyn Bridge. This original venue was replaced in June 2019 by a branch of the Ample Hills ice cream franchise, which itself was later succeeded by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in May 2023.[1][2] Meanwhile, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory operated from a temporary site in the Greenpoint neighborhood until March 2021, when it launched a new location near its original premises at 14 Old Fulton Street.
History
Established by entrepreneur Mark Thompson in 2001, shortly after the events of the September 11 attacks, the business set up shop within a historic fireboat house on the Fulton Ferry landing—Brooklyn’s oldest pier.[3] This distinctive setting played a significant role in shaping its brand identity and provided a unique edge in New York’s competitive ice cream market.[4]
Originally, the site served as a training facility for firefighters before being converted for commercial purposes.[5]
In June 2019, the Fulton Ferry location was replaced by an Ample Hills Creamery outlet. Subsequently, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory consolidated its operations to a single Greenpoint venue until March 2021.[6][7]
New Location
On March 10, 2021, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory resumed operations at a new site directly across from its original location at Brooklyn Landing.
Ice cream
The company crafts all its ice cream and hot fudge from scratch, following a traditional recipe that uses less butterfat and excludes eggs. Produced in limited quantities, the selection includes eight distinct flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, butter pecan, and strawberry, all free from preservatives. This handcrafted method reinforces the brand's edge in delivering superior quality and genuine taste.
Praised by The New York Times for its smooth, airy texture and well-balanced flavor profile, the ice cream has strengthened the company's position within the upscale dessert market.
Significantly, the Clinton St. Baking Company & Restaurant located on the Lower East Side features Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory's products in its dessert offerings, exemplifying effective B2B collaborations that broaden the brand’s market presence.
In 2006, a promotional contest centered around competitive eating enhanced brand visibility when culinary student Patrick Bertoletti set a record by consuming 1.75 gallons of vanilla ice cream in eight minutes, earning a $2,000 prize. This event played a role in increasing customer interest and brand recognition.
Accolades
The company’s ice cream has been acknowledged as some of New York’s finest by sources including New York City for Dummies, The Sunday Times, and Frommer's New York City 2011. Additionally, former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer is known to prefer the restaurant’s French vanilla flavor.
- ↑ Vianna, Carla (2018-12-06). "Longtime Brooklyn Bridge Park Ice Cream Shop Will Become Another Ample Hills".
- ↑ "New ice cream shop opening in the Fireboat House in Brooklyn Bridge Park". April 23, 2023.
- ↑ Onofri, Adrienne (January 2010). Walking Brooklyn: 30 Tours Exploring Historical Legacies, Neighborhood Culture, Side Streets and Waterways. p. 14.
- ↑ Marsh, Katherine (November 25, 2001). "Fire and Ice Cream". The New York Times.
- ↑ Bahrampour, Tara (February 1, 2004). "FULTON FERRY; Some Landmarks Are Just Meant to Be a Problem". The New York Times.
- ↑ Vianna, Carla (December 6, 2018). "Longtime Brooklyn Bridge Park Ice Cream Shop Will Become Another Ample Hills". Eater NY.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ Graham, Aidan (June 28, 2019). "Fulton dairy: Ample Hills Creamery opens at Fulton Ferry Landing". Brooklyn Paper.
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